Why Become a Volunteer

Updated on August 5, 2012

Reasons People Volunteer

Some people only volunteer as a requirement for school or to fulfill a community service requirement after getting in trouble with the law. Others volunteer as a way of life and constantly sign up to help within their community and at their church. These super volunteers find that the rewards of volunteering are so beneficial that they have made volunteering a habit.

The act of volunteering can greatly enhance your life and provide numerous benefits:

Perspective: Volunteering can help distract your from your own problems such as broken relationships, financial problems or other issues. Often times, you are able to see and experience situations well removed from your own that help provide you with perspective on how everyone is going through difficulties in life. Seeing the struggles of others can help you appreciate your own life and realize that you can survive these hard times.

Networking: Volunteering can lead to opening the doors to other opportunities in your life. You can meet people, explore interests, develop relationships with people who you can learn from, build job experience in areas/fields in which added experience could help you increase your economic opportunities, and establish a list of references for job applications.

Feel good points: Helping someone else can make you feel good. Volunteering can help you build up/restore self-confidence and self esteem. You feel good from the feeling of being a part of a larger purpose and accomplishing a goal or project. These feel good points can make you feel happier in all areas of our life.

Experience something new: If you are thinking of starting a new career or embarking on a new adventure, you can try volunteering before you make a fulltime commitment. Volunteering allows you to have a chance to explore your interests without making an economic investment.

Pick the Right Project

As with any experience, you get back what you put into your volunteer work. If you approach your volunteer work as if it is an obligation that you don’t want to do, than you are liable to fail to receive much in return. If you are enthusiastic and excited about your experience and committed to your chosen cause, than you are liable to receive much reward.

To be the best volunteer you can be, you need to pick the cause, project or place to volunteer that is right for you. Find something that interests you. If you love animals, you might want to help out at an animal shelter or help abandoned pets find new homes. If you like nature, you might help volunteer to clean up your local park or help preserve endangered habitats. If you are doing something that you like, you are more likely to have fun and find the rewards in your experience.

Keep in Mind

It is fairly easy to become a volunteer. Even just a few hours a month will be of benefit to someone you are helping, and your efforts will be appreciated. You don’t have to be rich or have a lot of resources to give something back and help someone in need. Volunteering is affordable because it costs nothing but your time. It is a good way to try something new without making a full commitment to a career change. You can feel good in helping others, and you can meet new people along the way. Give volunteering a try to see how much it can enrich your life.